Meditation apps and free online resources have made basic meditation instruction widely accessible, which raises a reasonable question about whether personalised mindfulness coaching adds genuine additional value beyond these more affordable options. Personalised coaching offers a meaningful advantage for those who have struggled to maintain a consistent independent practice, since accountability and tailored guidance address common barriers that generic app-based instruction cannot fully replicate. A skilled mindfulness coach can also identify and address specific individual obstacles — a wandering mind, physical discomfort during practice, difficulty with certain techniques — in real time, offering adjustments that pre-recorded content cannot provide. For those managing specific challenges like chronic stress, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping, a coach can tailor practice specifically to these goals rather than offering the generic, broadly applicable content typical of most apps. Group coaching sessions offer a middle ground between the full personalisation of one-on-one coaching and the lower cost of independent app-based practice, while also providing a sense of community that some find genuinely motivating for maintaining consistency. Whether personalised coaching justifies its cost ultimately depends on how much value an individual places on structured accountability and tailored guidance compared to the discipline required for a fully self-directed independent practice.